What is the definition of metadata?

Metadata is fundamentally defined as data that describes other data. It serves as a critical component in data management and information systems, providing context, structure, content, and quality of the data it describes.

By including details such as the origin of the data, its format, when it was created, how it was collected, and any constraints on its use, metadata allows users to understand and effectively utilize the data. This understanding can include how to apply the data in analyses, its relevance to a specific inquiry, and its reliability.

Other options do not capture the essence of metadata. Data from specific software applications, like ArcCatalog, is a particular instance of where metadata may be utilized but does not define what metadata is. Similarly, ArcGIS feature classes refer to specific types of data representations in GIS and do not encompass the broader definition of metadata. Information on data visualization pertains to presenting data visually rather than describing the data itself, which is outside the scope of what metadata entails.